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What is the minimum # of bees that a hive needs to make it though winter on their own, if they have enough stores and excluding mites, etc...? By the way I am in south MS so the winters aren't normally all that bad.

I'm not in south MS but I would guess you could get by pretty shy. How much of winter do you have? How many days would you think are below 40 degrees F during the winter? How often does it warm up? If it's warm enough and there is any pollen around they may raise a small amount of brood all winter long. You can probably feed all winter if you like too.